Everyone remembers one of the sexiest screen starlets of all time – Raquel Welch – seen here in the camp movie classic “The Magic Christian” with Ringo Starr…
But Raquel was just one of the many sex kittens of the 70′s…including one who played one of James Bond’s greatest co-workers!
In a long history of movie sex kittens, one of the more unjustly neglected is iconic beauty Barbara Bouchet…
Barbara Bouchet is a German-American actress and entrepreneur. If you aren’t familiar with her, that’s because most of her work was done in the 70′s and 80′s….but it was quite a body of work…
She has acted in more than 80 films and television episodes and founded a production company that has produced fitness videos and books.
Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of Bouchet’s career…
Sex And The Single Girl!
Bouchet got her Hollywood start with a small part in this light-hearted but saucy comedy in the mid-60′s, but it was one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises that gave her huge exposure:
Miss Moneypenny in “Casino Royale!”
That’s right, Bouchet starred in this unique all-star James Bond “comedy”, and very “unofficial” James Bond film at a time when rights to the books were in dispute, and this very campy Bond film was released:
This “all-star” James Bond spoof starred David Niven as Bong, and included a very young Woody Allen, and Barbara Bouchet co-starred as a very sexy Miss Moneypenny! Here she is with Allen, in a movie still I found online that was signed for a fan!
This film is not part of the “official” Bond series, but it is a snapshot of the swinging 60′s, and Bouchet had fun in the role…
The Actress gave an extensive interview to “Shock Cinema”, where she discussed her career…and what it was like shooting “Casino” in a very prim and proper London:
“And being in England, I was missing the sun. One day I went out and laid in Hyde Park in my bikini and got arrested. You can’t do that – at least not back then!”
Beam Her Up, Scotty!
Bouchon also had a role in a TV episode of “Star Trek” – as you can see here in here scene with Capt. Kirk:
Mostly, Bouchet’s career flourished in Europe, where she starred in a number of hit movies, like this euro thriller:
Cry Of A Prostitute!
Barbara starred in this italian thriller which really doesn’t have much to do with prostitution – but it’s a gritty film that gives the Actress a chance to act.
Well, hard not to imagine what they were thinking when Barbara ate this banana…this is a classic slice of euro-sleaze…which leads to one of her biggest hits:
The Italian Giallo, “Caliber 9″!
A gritty italian crime thriller made Bouchet a star…not only was Director Fernado Di Leo’s movie a huge box office hit, but it showcased the Actress in a perfect way…
Bouchet played a go go dancer, and the camera loves her as she dances…as she told Shock magazine:
“I did that dance scene in a real nightclub, and it was closed to the press…next thing you know, a picture of me on that dancing cube all over the newspapers. Somebody took it and printed it.”
Here is a youtube clip of the infamous scene, but I also encourage you to buy the film, which has been remaster on blu-ray:
Bouchon went on to star in a number of classic italian thrillers, including “Black Belly Of The Tarantula!”
This is a classic italian thriller – a great title, lots of sex and violence, and a distinct filming style…and the added bonus was that Bouchet was nude for much of the film…
As Bouchet tells SHOCK:
“Nudity has never been a problem with me. Nor was it a problem at home…”
Bouchet also starred in the italian giallo, “Don’t Torture A Ducking”, which is also considered a classic…
If you want to know about this amazing genre of film, click on my primer here:
Bouchet’s popularity continued for decades before she retired from film…but many of her classic performances live on blu-ray!
She now owns and operates a fitness studio, but a legendary Director coaxed her back onto the big screen…
Martin Scorsese was a huge fan and put Barbara in “Gangs Of New York!” Here is what he said to her on the first day of filming:
“Miss Bouchet, thank you very much for accepting your part in this picture. I’ve seen a lot of your films.” It stunned her…and she looks great in the movie!
So dip into Bouchet’s movie catalogue – there are some great performances here from one of the 70′s most under-rated actresses!
